Angola President, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço visits AfCFTA Secretariat
Angola President, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, on Tuesday August 3 paid visit to the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), where he interacted with the Secretary-General of the body, Wamkele, as part of his tour three days tour in the country.
President João Lourenço’s visit in the country aimed at strengthening the economic ties that exist between the two countries, as well as exploring possible areas of cooperation for their mutual benefit.
The General Secretary of the AfCFTA Mr Wamkele Mene in his welcome address during the AFCFTA- Angola business investment forum expressed his gratitude to H.E João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, and his high-level delegation to the occasion which he believe will expand bilateral business relations through the promotion of two-way investment and mutually complementary partnerships in the relations between the two State Parties.
He stressed that, Africa is open for business. Added that, the business potential of the continent is tremendous in various sectors, including agriculture, energy, infrastructure, natural resources, and information and communications, offering opportunities for entrepreneurs. For example, with the vast uncultivated arable land, Africa has the potential to ensure its own food sufficiency and be a major supplier in global food markets.
Mr Wamkele indicated that, the continent is home to an abundance of natural resources that include diamonds, manganese, cobalt, gold, aluminum, iron ore and more that are used practically in many industries and in many countries every day, from industrial, manufacturing, medical, energy to infrastructure development.
Hence, he urged the business community to see the continent’s unmet needs as opportunities for entrepreneurship. He mentioned that there are challenges; but “I urge you to see the challenges as a spur for innovation”
Mr Wamkele further remarked that, the Secretariat is committed to support the development aspirations of the continent with open trade and investment between the State Parties.
The General Secretary of the AFCFTA urged the Angola president to help transform the economies from dependence on the production and export of raw materials into value-adding, industrial economies, anchored on the things we make and grow.
Added that, “it is this transformation that will give us the best opportunity to derive maximum benefit from our abundant natural resources, and from our participation in the AfCFTA, and help bring progress and prosperity to our peoples.
Source :Kessbenonline.com /johnawuniktv@gmail.com
